No. 11 Ohio State Downs `Dons in MIVA Opener

Columbus, OH - A strong offensive attack from the 2009 MIVA Champion and 11th ranked Ohio State Buckeyes spoiled the IPFW conference-opener in straight sets, 30-16, 34-32, 30-24.

After dropping their first three matches of the season, the Buckeyes showed no signs of rust in the opening set, jumping out to an early 6-2 advantage. The hot hand of junior John Klanac tallied two kills and an ace to lead the early Ohio State rush that would extend to as many as eight at 17-9.

After a Buckeye error and Oliver Kook ace cut the lead to six, the Buckeyes again extended their lead, rattling off four consecutive points to push the advantage to ten.  Ohio State closed out the match on another four-point run to cap off a convincing first-set victory, 30-16.

Darryl Shank and Ivan Matos each totaled three kills in the set to lead an IPFW offense that struggled mightily, hitting at a negative percentage in the opening frame.

Freshman Elon Fyfield awoke the IPFW offense in the start of the second set. The freshman opposite's string of powerful blocks and kills gave the ‘Dons an 11-7 lead, warranting a timeout from Buckeye head coach Pete Hanson
 

IPFW extended their second-set advantage to as many as four at 16-12 before the Buckeyes stormed back to tie the match at 20 a piece.

From point 20 through the remainder of the set, neither offense took more than a one-point lead, as the dueling offenses battled deep into extra points

With IPFW set-point opportunities at 29-28, 30-29, and 31-30, Buckeye sophomore Mik Berzins had the Ohio State answer. He made two huge kills to stifle the Mastodons' chances, turning the tables in favor of the home team. With a set-point of their own at 33-32, Klanac slammed the door with a kill to the middle hole of the IPFW defense to take an extended second set, 34-32.

Shank's eight kills in the set led the offense, while Fyfield tallied six kills and two blocks to settle into the stat categories.

A shuffled, inexperienced lineup opened the third, and final frame, for IPFW and held their own through the opening points of the set until a four-point Buckeye run pushed the lead to five at 16-11. After an IPFW time-out, the continued offensive barrage from Buckeye top guns Ted Schoenfeldt, Klanac and Steven Kehoe put the set and match out of reach with a 30-24 victory.

Shank closed the match leading the ‘Dons at team-high tallies of 12 kills and 10 blocks.

Ohio State's Kehoe posted 44 assists in the three-set match and Schoenfeldt's 15 kills led all players in the match.

IPFW moves to 0-1 in the MIVA, with a critical seven-match home stand looming on the schedule, including four in-conference.

That home stretch will kick off Friday (Jan. 22) as the ‘Dons will play host to the Loyola Ramblers. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. from the Hilliard Gates Sports Center in Fort Wayne.

 ~Dons~